New Jersey vs South Carolina Taxes (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of income tax, property tax, sales tax, capital gains, and retirement treatment between New Jersey and South Carolina for tax year 2026. Use the calculator below to estimate how much you would save (or pay) after relocating.

TaxNew JerseySouth Carolina
State income tax (effective)6.37%6.40%
Long-term capital gains6.37%6.40%
Property tax (effective)2.46%0.57%
Combined sales tax6.63%7.50%
Retirement incomepartial-exemptss-exempt
Income systemprogressiveprogressive

Tax savings calculator

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Estimated 2026 burden

New Jersey total tax

$21,670

South Carolina total tax

$21,700

New Jersey state tax

$6,300

South Carolina state tax

$6,330

Difference

+$30

South Carolina costs more

As % of income

0.02%

Federal tax is identical in both columns and excluded from the difference. Numbers use 2026 IRS brackets, state effective rates, and the 3.8% NIIT where applicable.

Relocation analysis

Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina would cost an extra $30 per year on this profile.

  • Property tax difference on a $400k home: $7,560/yr.
  • Sales tax difference on $50k of taxable spending: $435/yr.
  • Capital gains difference per $10k gain: $3.

Key differences

  • New Jersey: Top 10.75% bracket; corporate transit fee adds 2.5% over $10M.
  • South Carolina: Top 6.2% bracket; $10k retirement-income deduction.
  • Income system: New Jersey is progressive, South Carolina is progressive.
  • Retirement: New Jerseypartial exempt; South Carolinass exempt.

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Comparison FAQs

It depends on income mix. South Carolina has an effective income rate of 6.40% vs New Jersey's 6.37%. Property tax (2.46% vs 0.57%) and sales tax can swing the answer.

Related resources

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